Top 5 Reasons Not to Drink Alcohol

by Paul Woods

While moderate amounts of alcohol are good for your health, avoid it during pregnancy.

Made from fermented fruits, grains and honey, alcohol is widely used as a recreational drink. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol is beneficial to your health, as it increases high density lipoprotein or “good” cholesterol and lowers “bad” cholesterol. However, excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to complications, like liver cirrhosis. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommend drinking no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. (See Reference 1)

Liver Cirrhosis

Drinking heavy amounts of alcohol gradually leads to alcohol liver disease. This results in inflammation and swelling of the liver, a condition known as hepatitis. At this stage, A.D.A.M Medical encyclopedia recommends quitting drinking as your liver will heal on its own. Continued consumption of alcohol may lead to liver cirrhosis, which is the last stage of alcoholic liver disease. (See Reference 2)

Increased Cancer Risk

Heavy consumption of alcohol increases the risk of developing cancers such as breast cancer and cancers of the throat and mouth. The risk is higher in persons who smoke and drink heavily. According to a study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer published in February 2006 in “The Lancet Oncology," the mechanism by which alcohol causes cancer is not fully known. However, it states that acetaldehyde -- a byproduct of ethanol metabolism -- increases the levels of estrogen in the blood, which increases the risk of breast cancer. Alcohol is also a good solvent for cancer-causing compounds found in tobacco. Metabolism of alcohol also releases free radicals and affects the breakdown of folic acid. Such factors are presumed to increase the risk of cancer. (See Reference 3)

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Alcohol can harm unborn babies, which is why pregnant women should avoid consumption. Pregnant women who drink alcohol may give birth to a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. This condition is characterized by brain damage which results in lifelong learning, attention and memory difficulties. The baby can also be born with distinctive features such as flat cheeks, thin lips and small eyes. According to the American Pregnancy Association, no amount of alcohol is safe to drink during pregnancy, and the higher alcohol consumption the higher the risk of this preventable fetal condition. (See Reference 4)

Causes Accidents

Drinking alcohol increases your susceptibility to driving and workplace accidents. A study by Johns Hopkins University researchers published in February 2001 in the “Journal of the American Medical Association” found that one in three deadly bicycle crashes were alcohol-related. The study, which was carried out on 499 Maryland riders, also found out that blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 grams per deciliter increases the possibility of severe or fatal injury by 2,000 percent. This is because alcohol affects your reaction time, vision, attention and judgment. This compromises your ability to drive and operate machinery. (See Reference 5)

Cardiovascular Disease

Avoiding alcohol lowers your risk of developing heart complications. Female drinkers, though generally they drink less alcohol than men, tend to be more vulnerable to alcohol-related cardiovascular disease. A study published in April 2010 in "Physiology & Behavior" by Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program states that lighter drinkers have low risk of cardiovascular complications, and that heavy drinkers are at higher risk of developing heart problems, such as high blood pressure, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, hemorrhagic stroke and heart rhythm disturbances. (See Reference 6)

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About the Author

Paul Woods has been writing since 2004, with work published in "Alive Magazine," the "Canadian Journal of Diabetes" and the "Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research." Woods holds a Master of Science in applied human nutrition from the University of Manitoba, as well as a Bachelor of Science in nutrition from the University of Saskatchewan.

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